Doris Downes Jenkins

Doris Downes Jenkins July 30, 1925 – Dec 7, 2017 Doris Downes Jenkins, 92, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away peacefully at the Adler Center for Caring surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, December 7, 2017. She was born in Washington, D.C. on July 30, 1925, the daughter of Thomas and Kathleen Downes. A longtime Falls Church, Virginia resident, Doris worked as a telephone operator for over 30 years. Her career span ranged from corded switchboards and party lines to computers. She was part of a Smithsonian American History Museum exhibit and oral recording, “All Alone by the Telephone”, recounting the historical communication particulars of another era. A military widow for over 40 years, Doris volunteered for more than 20 years at the Ft. Myer Army Post in Arlington, Virginia in charge of widow outreach. During that time she offered support and assistance to new widows during one of the most emotional and overwhelming times of their lives. Throughout her life, Doris traveled extensively in Europe, Asia and the United States. She is survived by her five children, Spencer, Donald and Kenneth Cake and Michael Austin and her daughter, Kathleen Austin McKeever, along with 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Services will be held Thursday, January 11 at 3pm at Old Post Ft. Myer Chapel, 204 Lee Avenue, Ft. Meyers, Virginia with interment to follow at Arlington Cemetery. A reception in celebration of her life will be held at 1600 – 1800 hours (4 – 6pm) at the Fort Myer Officer’s Club, 214 Jackson Avenue, Fort Myers in the Chaffee Room.